Lesson 13 – What is Baptism?

Baptism applies Christ’s wonderful salvation directly to our souls, moving us from the sorry state of sin to the gracious life of God. 

But, how does this work? The theology of St. Thomas Aquinas helps us understand the steps involved.

Course Reading

Summa Theologiae III, q. 66, a. 5 | St. Thomas Aquinas

Summa Theologiae III, q. 65, a. 9 | St. Thomas Aquinas

Christ In His Mysteries | Bl. Columba Marmion

Excerpt from Christ In His Mysteries:

Just now we saw how, by presenting Himself for a baptism of penance, the Word Incarnate witnessed to His role of Redeemer. He was to complete His work by the gift of the divine life that is His; He confers it on us by virtue of the merits of His Passion and death: “God sent into the world His only-begotten Son so that we could have life through Him” (1 John 4:9); “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that those who believe in Him may . . . have eternal life” (John 3:15).

Course Listening

The Sacraments in General: The Number & Order of the Sacraments | Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Catholicism and the Doctrine of Justification | Prof. Francis Beckwith